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TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Mpox vaccines rolled out in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as cases rise
The department of health says it has launched a mpox vaccination drive in the three provinces hardest hit by the virus which are Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 'The department has embarked on a vaccination drive against mpox disease as the number of laboratory-confirmed cases is gradually rising in the country,' it said. The vaccination programme is being rolled out at selected public health facilities, travel clinics and private providers. The department confirmed that two new cases had been detected in Johannesburg and Cape Town, increasing the total number of confirmed mpox infections in South Africa to 10 since the beginning of 2025. According to the department, the two latest patients are aged 32 and 45 with no recent travel history. The department also said that due to limited supply with 10,500 doses of the Imvanex® vaccine donated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control the rollout will be done in phases, starting in areas with confirmed outbreaks. 'Priority will be given to people at higher risk of contracting the virus, including those who came into close contact with confirmed cases, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and travellers heading to regions experiencing active mpox outbreaks,' said the department. 'Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than two years.' . The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the importation of the vaccine via a special section 21 application, allowing the use of a product not yet registered in South Africa. The National Control Laboratory tested the doses for safety and efficacy before public use. 'The vaccine was found to be safe and is well tolerated in the vast majority of people,' said the department. Mpox, a virus previously known as monkeypox, typically presents with a rash lasting two to four weeks, fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, low energy and headache. The rash can appear as painful blisters or sores, particularly on the face, hands, feet, groin and genital or anal areas. Though not officially classified as a sexually transmitted infection, mpox can spread through close physical contact including sex, hugging, kissing and even sharing contaminated bedding, towels or clothing. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded 25 confirmed cases and three deaths in 2024. 'Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease. Vaccinated individuals are protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications,' said the department. Common side effects after immunisation may include pain or redness at the injection site, fever, muscle aches and nausea but these usually resolve without treatment in a few days. 'These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication for pain, if needed. Individuals are encouraged to report any suspected side effects to a healthcare professional or through the Med Safety App, which is available for free on Android and iOS,' said the department. The department is urging residents in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to remain vigilant. 'Those who suspect they are at risk of infection should consult their nearest health facility for screening, testing, and to check if they qualify for vaccination.' it said.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Mpox vaccines rolled out in Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN as cases climb
Mpox vaccines rolled out in Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN as cases climb The Department of Health has launched a vaccination drive against mpox as laboratory-confirmed cases gradually increase in the country. The programme will primarily target the provinces most affected: Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN. Two new cases were confirmed – a 32-year-old from Cape Town and a 45-year-old from Johannesburg – both with no history of travel. This brings to 10 the total number of confirmed cases since the start of 2025. 'Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease, with vaccinated individuals being protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications,' the department said. Vaccines will be available at some public health facilities, travel clinics and select private providers in the affected provinces. Priority groups for vaccination Priority will be given to people at higher risk, including close contacts of confirmed cases, individuals with multiple sexual partners and travellers to outbreak areas. Vaccination will also be offered to pregnant women and children older than two years where indicated. Imvanex vaccine donation South Africa received 10 500 doses of the mpox vaccine, Imvanex, donated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control through the Access and Allocation Mechanism for mpox. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority authorised its importation under a Section 21 process for unregistered medicines, and the National Control Laboratory verified its safety and efficacy. 'Imvanex was found to be safe and well tolerated in most people. As with any vaccine, mild to moderate side effects may occur, but these are usually temporary,' the department added. Common side effects include pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, nausea and fever. These usually resolve within a few days and can be managed with rest, hydration and over-the-counter pain medication. Suspected side effects should be reported to a healthcare professional or via the free Med Safety app ( Limited doses and phased rollout With limited doses, the rollout will occur in phases, prioritising outbreak hotspots and based on vaccine availability. More information on vaccination sites is available at: Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Health Department warns number of mpox cases rising in SA
Cases have recently been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Two more cases of Mpox have been detected in South Africa. Picture: iStock The Health Department has warned that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox is gradually rising in the country. It comes after two cases have recently been recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Confirmed cases This increases the total cumulative number of confirmed cases to ten since the beginning of the year The two new cases include a 32-year-old and a 45-year-old patient from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said they are embarking on a vaccination drive against mpox amid the increase in the number of cases. 'The vaccination programme will target the most affected provinces, which currently include Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). ALSO READ: Health department calls for calm as Mpox declared public health emergency Vaccinations Mohale said both patients have not travelled out of the country. 'Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease, with vaccinated individuals being protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications. 'Members of the public are urged to be extra vigilant of mpox symptoms, and those who suspect that they are at risk of mpox infection are advised to consult their nearest health facility or healthcare provider for screening and testing, and to find out if they are eligible for this life-saving vaccination,' Mohale said. Priority Mohale added that priority will be given to people at a higher risk of contracting the virus. 'This includes those who came into close contact with people who tested positive, people with multiple sexual partners and travellers going to areas where there is an outbreak of mpox. Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than 2 years. Mohale said the department received around 10 500 doses of the mpox vaccine, Imvanex as a donation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control through the Access and Allocation Mechanism for Mpox, in an effort to combat the various mpox outbreaks in the African continent. Mpox Mpox is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with a low case fatality rate. The risk of wider transmission remains low in South Africa, but anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race. 'Common side effects that might be experienced following immunisation include pain, redness, swelling and itching at the injection site; muscle pain; headache; nausea; and fever,' Mohale said. 'However, most side effects disappear on their own within a few days without treatment. These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication to manage pain, if needed'. The virus is generally asymptomatic and treatable, but not curable. ALSO READ: Health dept says 'ongoing local transmission of mpox' in Gauteng as more cases reported
